Tram line shutdown for 11 days

‘ESSENTIAL WORK’ ON BUSY ROUTE

A SECTION of Nottingham’s busy tram network will be closed so that essential work to replace tracks can take place.

A replacement shuttle bus service will be in operation between the Wilkinson Street and The Forest tram stops from Thursday, August 23, until Sunday, September 2.

During the work, the following tram stops will be closed: Shipstone Street, Beaconsfield Street, Hyson Green Market, Radford Road and Noel Street.

Trams from Hucknall and Phoenix Park will run to Wilkinson Street and services from Clifton South and Toton Lane will run to The Forest, with “frequent” shuttle buses connecting the two stops.

Tram users and commuters predicted a “logistical disaster” and “chaos”.

Paul Ward, 52, of Radford, said: “I can already picture the chaos. That sounds like a nightmare.

“I use the tram through that area [that will be closed] regularly. I can

imagine the bus service will be packed.

“I hope they put a lot of them on, especially during rush hours.”

Sasha Paulson, 40, of Lento, said: “You just hope it runs on schedule and smoothly but I just cant see it.

“That’s a key area of the route and gets really busy through there, so it will definitely cause some problems.

“It is what it is and they would not do it for no reason but it could be a nightmare.”

Road closures will also be in place in parts of Noel Street and Gregory Boulevard, restricting access to The Forest parkand-ride. Drivers will still be able to enter the park-and-ride but from the Mansfield Road side only and diversion signs will be in place on other routes.

Lee Hinton, 34, a sound engineer, said: “I commute from Hucknall to the city every day, so that’s going to cause me so much hassle, to be honest. The words ‘replacement bus service’ are enough to make you shiver.

“I really do think I will look for another form of transport that week because I can just see myself getting stressed every day going to work.

“Of course, they have got to do it but that does not make the hassle any less for commuters.

Jamie Wood, 28, of Arnold, who uses the tram to visit relatives, said: “Unless the bus services are regular and prompt, it’s quite a long time for it to be closed as well, so I really hope they don’t overrun.

“Thousands of people use the tram every day, I would say, so it’s going to have a big effect for people.

“I use the tram occasionally but I don’t think I will be then. It sounds like a logistical disaster if you need to get across the city.people will have to leave so early for work to then wait for a bus replacement to come.

Mike Mabey, operations manager for NET, which runs the tram, said: “From time to time, we have to carry out essential maintenance work and, on this busy section of the network, some stretches of track have been in place since the tram opened 14 years ago.

“The work to replace them will ensure we continue to provide a safe, comfortable and reliable service to customers.

“Every effort is being made to minimise disruption, and additional staff will be on hand at key locations throughout this period to advise customers on how best to complete their journey.”

Constantina Samara, NET customer service manager, added: “We would advise customers to allow extra time for their journeys.”